Source: Supplied.

The latest CBR1000RR is still in its early stages of development in British Superbike trim, says Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran on the eve of the 2017 season-opener at Donington Park.

With a vast amount of experience on the previous version and coming off a strong last year, the Australian is looking to gain two strong finishes this weekend while refining his new race bike.

“I’m looking forward to going racing again this weekend,” O’Halloran said. “It’s been a long winter and a long break, mixed with the anticipation of the new Fireblade arriving. The boys have been hard at work at the workshop building our bikes. Our test in Spain was a lot different to previous years as, in the past, we have had a bike we know well, so it was a case of fine-tuning and getting comfortable, whereas this year it’s been about learning!

“We have had to adjust and learn what the fly-by-wire can do and how to get the throttle connection feeling to what we’ve been used to. We’ve had a lot of work to do in not much time and it’s still a very young bike, so we’re heading to Donington and will use the three days effectively to work through and progress as quickly as possible to get to a good level.

“It will be good to see where we are, in relation to our competition and to get the season underway. I always get excited for a new season and we have the potential there to have a good one, off the back of last year, but there’s a lot to learn and unlock with the new Fireblade, which we will no doubt do at the first few rounds. We’re keen to get to work now and come away with two solid races under our belts.”

O’Halloran had an impressive run in last year’s BSB series, capturing no less than seven podiums, including a race win to his credit, and finishing fifth in the final championship standings following a challenging Showdown period.